Methods of treating factor VIIa-associated conditions with compounds having an amine nucleus

ABSTRACT

Methods of treating Factor VIIa-associated conditions in a mammal are described, comprising administering to the mammal in need of treatment thereof an effective amount of at least one compound having the formula (I),  
                 
or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, hydrate or prodrug thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/464,366, filed Jun. 17, 2003, now allowed, which claims the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/389,833, filed Jun. 19, 2002, which is expressly incorporated fully herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods of treating conditions associated with the activity of Factor VIIa comprising administration of compounds having an amine nucleus, as further defined herein. The invention further relates to select compounds having surprisingly advantageous activity in inhibiting Factor VIIa.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An elevated blood plasma level of Factor VIIa is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and abnormalities of the coagulation system. Uncontrolled FVIIa activation can lead to occlusive arterial thrombosis and thromboembolism which can produce unstable angina, myocardial infarction, and stroke. It is estimated that this year 1.1 million Americans will have a new or secondary heart attack, and about one third of them will die. This makes arterial thrombotic diseases the single leading cause of death in America. Stroke killed an estimated 158,000 people in 1995 and is the third largest cause of death (ranking behind heart disease and all forms of cancer). Stroke is also the single leading cause of disability in the United States.

Thrombosis in the veins deep in thighs or calves (deep vein thrombosis) can lead to ischemia, pain, tenderness, and discoloration of the affected area. A major complication of venous thrombosis is pulmonary embolism, i.e., a clot breaks free and travels through the venous circulation and right heart to the pulmonary circulation, where it blocks an artery of the lung. Pulmonary function is compromised and death may follow. It is estimated that there are about 50,000 deaths per year resulting from pulmonary embolism (Moser, 1990).

FVIIa activation can also result from gram-negative bacteremia which causes half of the cases of lethal septic shock acquired during hospitalization. Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and inflammatory mediators mediate some of the sequelae including a coagulopathy that may be triggered by expression of tissue factor (TF) on macrophages and endothelial cells.

Accordingly, antithrombotic agents have been researched and developed for use in treating cardiovascular and other diseases. Presently, antithrombotic agents include heparin, coumarin, and aspirin, among others. There are, however, limitations with these agents. For example, both heparin and coumarin have a highly-variable dose-related response, and their anticoagulant effects must be closely monitored to avoid a risk of serious bleeding. The erratic anticoagulant response of heparin is likely due to its propensity to bind non-specifically to plasma proteins. Aspirin has a limited efficacy and at high doses presents a risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. Thrombin inhibitors and their drawbacks are further discussed in WO 96/20689 to duPont Merck Pharmaceutical Co.

As may be appreciated, those in the field of pharmaceutical research continue to seek to develop new compounds and compositions having increased effectiveness and bioavailability and/or having fewer side effects. There is particularly an interest in developing agents that can selectively and directly inhibit key factors in the complicated coagulation process. The present invention provides compounds useful as inhibitors of Factor VIIa. Amino-based compounds useful as IMPDH inhibitors are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,773, and compounds useful as IMPDH inhibitors and Factor VIIa inhibitors are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/997,963, filed Nov. 29, 2001, a continuation-in-part application to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/428,432. Additionally, compounds useful in treating Factor VIIa conditions are described in U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/389,832, titled “Ureido-Substituted Aniline Compounds Useful As Serine Protease Inhibitors,” filed Jun. 19, 2002, with common inventors herein and assigned to the present assignee. Each of the patents, patent applications, and articles cited herein are incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The instant invention comprises methods of treating Factor VIIa-associated conditions in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal in need of treatment thereof, an effective amount of at least one compound having the formula (I),

or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, hydrate or prodrug thereof, wherein:

A is a five or six-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic, heterocyclic or heteroaryl ring, said ring A being optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from R₂₇;

B is selected from one of

D is phenyl, cycloalkyl, or a five to six-membered heteroaryl or heterocyclo, provided, however, that when A is a heterocyclo or heteroaryl and a is 1, then D is phenyl or cycloalkyl;

R₁ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, or C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one to two R₂₁;

R₂ and R₃ are attached to any available carbon atom of ring B and ring D, respectively, and at each occurrence are independently selected from halogen, cyano, NO₂, C₁₋₆alkyl, substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, —OR₁₅, —C(═O)R₁₅, —OC(═O)R₁₅, —CO₂R₁₅, —OCO₂R₁₅, —C(═O)NR₁₅R₁₆, —OC(—O)NR₁₅R₁₆, —NR₁₅R₁₆, —NR₁₆C(═O)R₁₅, —NR_(16a)C(═O)NR₁₅R₁₆, —NR₁₆CO₂R₁₅, —SR₁₅, —S(O)R₁₅, —SO₂R₁₅, —SO₂NR₁₅R₁₆, —SO₃R₁₅, —NR₁₆SO₂R₁₅, and —NR_(16a)SO₂NR₁₅R₁₆;

R₄ and R₅ are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C₁₋₃alkoxy, —OCF₃, CF₃, amino, C₁₋₆alkylamino, C₁₋₄alkyl, and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one to two R₂₂; or alternatively, R₄ and R₅ taken together may form a 3-8 membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclic spiro ring, said ring being optionally substituted with up to three R₂₈;

R₆ is hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, or C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one to two R₂₃;

R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, cyano, C₁₋₃alkoxy, —OCF₃, CF₃, amino, C₁₋₆alkylamino, C₁₋₄alkyl, and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one to two R₂₄; or alternatively, R₇ and R₈ taken together may form a 3-8 membered cycloalkyl or heterocyclic spiro ring, said ring being optionally substituted with up to three R₂₉; or alternatively, one or both of R₇ and R₈ may be taken together with one or both of R₉ and R₁₀ to form a heterocyclic or heteroaryl ring, said ring in turn being optionally substituted with up to three R₃₀;

R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one to two R₂₅; or alternatively, R₉ and R₁₀ taken together may form a 3-8 membered heterocyclic ring or a five to six membered heteroaryl ring, said ring being optionally substituted with up to three R₃₀; or alternatively, one or both of R₉ and R₁₀ may be taken together with one or both of R₇ and R₈ to form a heterocyclic or heteroaryl ring, said ring being optionally substituted with up to three R₃₀;

R₁₁ at each occurrence is independently selected from halogen, cyano, NO₂, C₁₋₆alkyl, substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, —OR₁₃, —C(═O)R₁₃, —OC(═O)R₁₃, —CO₂R₁₃, —OCO₂R₁₃, —C(═O)NR₁₃R₁₄, —OC(═O)NR₁₃R₁₄, —NR₁₃R₁₄, —NR₁₄C(═O)R_(13a), —NR₁₄CO₂R₁₃, —SR₁₃, —S(O)R₁₃, —SO₂R₁₃, —SO₂NR₁₃R₁₄, —SO₃R₁₃, —NR₁₄SO₂R₁₃, and —NR_(14a)SO₂NR₁₃R₁₄; or alternatively, two R₁₁ groups may be taken together to form a fused benzo, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic ring, wherein said ring in turn is optionally substituted with up to one A group and/or one to two R₃₁; provided, however, that R₁₁ is not alkyl substituted with —NR_(18a)C(═O)NR₁₇R₁₈;

R₁₃, R₁₄, and R_(14a) at each occurrence independently of each other are selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₈alkenyl, C₂₋₈alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl(C₀₋₄alkyl), aryl(C₀₋₄alkyl), heterocyclo(C₀₋₄alkyl), and heteroaryl(C₀₋₄alkyl), wherein each of said cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, and heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with up to two substituents independently selected from R₃₂; provided, however, that when R₁₃ is attached to a sulfonyl group as in —SO₂R₁₃, —S(═O)R₁₃, and —SO₃R₁₃, then R₁₃ is not hydrogen; or alternatively, R₁₃ and R₁₄ can be taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form a heterocyclo or heteroaryl, said ring being in turn optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from R₃₂;

R_(13a) is selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₈alkenyl, C₂₋₈alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl(C₀₋₄alkyl), aryl(C₀₋₄alkyl), heterocyclo(C₁₋₄alkyl), and heteroaryl(C₁₋₄alkyl), wherein each of said cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, and heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with up to two substituents independently selected from R₃₂;

R₁₅ at each occurrence independently of each other R₁₅ is selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₈alkenyl, C₂₋₈alkynyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl(C₀₋₄alkyl), aryl(C₀₋₄alkyl), heterocyclo(C₀₋₄alkyl), and heteroaryl(C₀₋₄alkyl), wherein each of said cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, and heteroaryl groups are optionally substituted with up to two substituents independently selected from R₃₃; provided, however, that when R₁₅ is attached to a sulfonyl group as in —SO₂R₁₅, —S(═O)R₁₅, and —SO₃R₁₅, then R₁₅ is not hydrogen;

R₁₆ and R_(16a) at each occurrence independently of each other R₁₆ and R_(16a) are selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₆alkyl, substituted C₁₋₆alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, —OR₁₉, —C(═O)R₁₉, —CO₂R₁₉, —SO₂R₁₉, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl(C₀₋₄alkyl), aryl(C₀₋₄alkyl), heterocyclo(C₀₋₄alkyl), and heteroaryl(C₀₋₄alkyl), wherein R₁₉ is C₁₋₆alkyl, C₃₋₁₀cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, or heteroaryl, and each of said R₁₉, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, and heteroaryl groups are in turn optionally substituted with up to two substituents independently selected from R₃₄;

alternatively, R₁₅ and R₁₆ can be taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached to form a heterocyclo or heteroaryl, said ring being in turn optionally substituted with up to three groups selected from R₃₄;

R₁₇ and R₁₈ are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, cyano, hydroxy, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, aryl and heteroaryl, or taken together may form a heteroaryl or heterocyclo ring;

R_(17a) is hydrogen, alkyl, or substituted alkyl;

R₂₁, R₂₂, R₂₃, R₂₄, R₂₅, and R₂₆ are independently selected from halogen, cyano, hydroxy, C₁₋₃alkoxy, OCF₃, CF₃, amino, and C₁₋₆alkylamino;

R₂₇, R₂₈, R₂₉, R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂, R₃₃, and R₃₄ are at each occurrence independently selected from C₁₋₄alkyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, C₂₋₆alkynyl, oxo (═O), halo(C₀₋₄alkyl), NO₂(C₀₋₄alkyl), hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₀₋₄alkyl), amino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₄alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₆alkylamino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₄alkylthio(C₀₋₄alkyl), carbamyl(C₀₋₄alkyl), —C(═O)C₁₋₄alkyl, —CO₂C₁₋₄alkyl, —S(O)(C₁₋₄alkyl), —SO₂(C₁₋₄alkyl), —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), —SO₃H, —SO₃(C₁₋₄alkyl), —NHCO(C₁₋₆alkyl), and —C(═O)NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), provided, however, that when R₂₆, R₂₇, R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂, R₃₃, and R₃₄ are substituents attached to an aryl or heteroaryl ring, said groups are not selected from oxo (═O); provided further, that when R₂₆, R₂₇, R₃₀, R₃₁, R₃₂, R₃₃, and R₃₄ are hydroxy and attached to an aryl or heteroaryl ring, the ring may undergo tautomerization to an oxo species, or exist as an equilibrium mixture of both tautomers;

a is 0 or 1;

m is 0, 1, or 2;

n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;

p is 0, 1 or 2; and

q is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.

Also included within the scope of the present invention are select compounds having surprisingly advantageous activity in inhibiting Factor VIIa.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following are definitions of terms used in this specification. The initial definition provided for a group or term herein applies to that group or term throughout this specification, individually or as part of another group, unless otherwise indicated.

The term “alkyl” refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Lower alkyl groups, that is, alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, are most preferred.

The term “substituted alkyl” refers to an alkyl group as defined above having one, two, or three substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, nitro, cyano, keto (═O), —OR_(a), —SR_(a), —NR_(a)R_(b), —NR_(a)SO₂R_(c), —SO₂R_(c), —SO₂NR_(a)R_(b), —CO₂R_(a), —C(═O)R_(a), —C(═O)NR_(a)R_(b), —OC(═O)R_(a), —OC(═O)NR_(a)R_(b), —NR_(a)C(═O)R_(b), —NR_(a)CO₂R_(b), cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, aryl, and heteroaryl, wherein R_(a) and R_(b) are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, aryl, and heteroaryl, and R_(c) is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, aryl and heteroaryl. When a substituted alkyl (and/or R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c)) includes a cycloalkyl, heterocyclo, aryl, or heteroaryl substituent, said ringed systems are as defined below and thus may in turn have zero to three substituents (preferably 0-2 substituents), also as defined below. When R_(a), R_(b) or R_(c) is an alkyl or alkenyl, said alkyl or alkenyl may optionally be substituted with 1-3 of halogen, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, nitro, cyano, keto (═O), OH, —O(alkyl), phenyloxy, benzyloxy, SH, —S(alkyl), NH₂, —NH(alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(alkyl), —SO₂(alkyl), —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NH(alkyl), —SO₂N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂H, —CO₂(alkyl), —C(═O)H, —C(═O)alkyl, —C(═O)NH₂, —C(═O)NH(alkyl), —C(═O)N(alkyl)₂, —OC(═O)alkyl, —OC(═O)NH₂, —OC(═O)NH(alkyl), —NHC(═O)alkyl, and/or —NHCO₂(alkyl).

When the term “alkyl” is used in conjunction with another group such as in “arylalkyl” or “cycloalkylalkyl,” such reference is intended to refer to a substituted alkyl in which at least one of the substituents is the specifically-named group, i.e., the group is bonded through an alkyl chain. For example, the term arylalkyl includes benzyl, or any other straight or branched chain substituted alkyl having at least one aryl group attached at any point of the alkyl chain. However, it should be understood that when the term “alkyl” is used following a bivalent linker preceeded by a bond designation, such as —C(═O)C₁₋₄alkyl, —S(O)C₁₋₄alkyl, —CO₂C₁₋₄alkyl, and —SO₂C₁₋₄alkyl, such references are intended to mean that the alkyl group is attached via the linker.

The term “alkenyl” refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and at least one double bond. Alkenyl groups of 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having one double bond are most preferred.

The term “alkynyl” refers to straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups having 2 to 12 carbon atoms and at least one triple bond. Alkynyl groups of 2 to 6 carbon atoms and having one triple bond are most preferred.

The term “alkylene” refers to bivalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon groups having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms, e.g., {—CH₂—}_(n), wherein n is 1 to 12, preferably 1-8. Lower alkylene groups, that is, alkylene groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, are most preferred. The terms “alkenylene” and “alkynylene” refer to bivalent radicals of alkenyl and alknyl groups, respectively, as defined above.

When reference is made to a substituted alkylene, alkenylene, or alkynylene group, these groups are substituted with one to three substitutents as defined above for alkyl groups. A substituted alkylene, alkenylene, or alkynylene may have a ringed substituent attached in a spiro fashion as in

and so forth.

The term “alkoxy” refers to an alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkyl, or substituted alkenyl group bonded through an oxygen atom (—O—). For example, the term “alkoxy” includes the groups —O—C₁₋₁₂alkyl, —O—C₂₋₈alkenyl, —S—CH₂aryl, and so forth.

The term “alkylthio” refers to an alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkyl, or substituted alkenyl group bonded through a sulfur (—S—) atom. For example, the term “alkylthio” includes the groups —S—(CH₂)CH₃, —S—CH₂aryl, etc.

The term “alkylamino” refers to an alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkyl or substituted alkenyl group bonded through a nitrogen (—NR′—) group. For example, the term “alkylamino” includes the groups —NR′—C₁₋₁₂alkyl and —NR′—CH₂-aryl, etc. (where R′ is hydrogen, alkyl or substituted alkyl as defined above.) When a subscript is used with reference to an alkylamino group, the subscript refers to the total number of carbon atoms attached to the nitrogen atom. Thus, for example, C₁₋₆alkylamino includes groups such as —NHC₁₋₆alkyl, —N(C₁₋₃alkyl)₂, —N(C₁₋₂alkyl)(C₁₋₄alkyl), and so forth. “Amino” refers to the group —NH₂. The term “aminoalkyl” means a substituted alkyl having at least one amino substituent (e.g., C₁₋₂aminoalkyl includes —CH₂—NH₂, —CH₂—CH₂—NH₂, — and —CH(NH₂)CH₃.) “Alkylaminoalkyl” means a substituted alkyl having at least one alkylamino substituent.

When a subscript is used as in C₁₋₈alkyl, the subscript refers to the number of carbon atoms the group may contain. Zero when used in a subscript denotes a bond, e.g., C₀₋₄alkyl refers to a bond or an alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Thus, for example, “C₁₋₆alkyl” refers to straight and branched chain alkyl groups with one to six carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, and so forth. “Hydroxy(C₀₋₂alkyl)” includes hydroxy, hydroxymethyl, and hydroxyethyl. Similarly, “phenyl(C₀₋₂alkyl)” includes phenyl, phenylmethyl, and phenylethyl.

When used with alkoxy, thioalkyl, or alkylamino (or aminoalkyl), a subscript refers to the number of carbon atoms that the group may contain in addition to heteroatoms. Thus, for example, monovalent C₁₋₂alkylamino includes the groups —NH—CH₃, —NH—CH₂—CH₃, and —N(CH₃)₂. A lower alkylamino comprises an alkylamino having one to four carbon atoms.

The alkoxy, alkylthio, or alkylamino groups may be monovalent or bivalent. By “monovalent” it is meant that the group has a valency (i.e., power to combine with another group), of one, and by “bivalent” it is meant that the group has a valency of two. For example, a monovalent alkoxy includes groups such as —O—C₁₋₂alkyl, whereas a bivalent alkoxy includes groups such as —O—C₁₋₂alkylene-, etc.

The term “acyl” refers to a group having a carbonyl

linked to an organic group i.e.,

wherein R_(d) may be selected from alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkyl, substituted alkenyl, aryl, heterocyclo, cycloalkyl, and heteroaryl, as defined herein.

The term “alkoxycarbonyl” refers to a group having a carboxy or ester group

linked to an organic radical, i.e.,

wherein R_(d) is as defined above for acyl.

The term “carbamyl” refers to a functional group in which a nitrogen atom is directly bonded to a carbonyl, i.e., as in —NR_(e)C(═O)R_(f) or —C(═O)NR_(e)R_(f), wherein R_(e) and R_(f) can be hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkoxy, cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, or heteroaryl, or when attached to the same nitrogen atom, R_(e) and R_(f) may join to form a ring.

The term “halo” or “halogen” refers to chloro, bromo, fluoro and iodo.

The term “haloalkyl” means a substituted alkyl having one or more halo substituents. For example, “haloalkyl” includes mono, bi, and trifluoromethyl.

The term “haloalkoxy” means an alkoxy group having one or more halo substituents. For example, “haloalkoxy” includes OCF₃.

The term “sulfonyl” refers to a sulphoxide group (i.e., —S(O)₁₋₂) linked to an organic radical R_(c), as defined above.

The term “sulfonamidyl” or “sulfonamido” refers to the group —S(O)₂NR_(e)R_(f), wherein R_(e) and R_(f) are as defined above in the definition for carbamyl. Preferably when one of R_(e) and R_(f) is optionally substituted heteroaryl or heterocyclo (as defined below), the other of R_(e) and R_(f) is hydrogen, alkyl, or substituted alkyl.

The term “cycloalkyl” refers to fully saturated and partially unsaturated hydrocarbon rings of 3 to 9, preferably 3 to 7 carbon atoms. The term “cycloalkyl” includes such rings having zero to three substituents (preferably 0-2 substituents), selected from 1) R_(g); and 2) C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted with one to three R_(g), wherein R_(g) is selected from the group consisting of halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, nitro, cyano, keto (═O), —OR_(a), —SR_(a), —NR_(a)R_(b), —NR_(a)SO₂R_(c), —SO₂R_(c), —SO₂NR_(a)R_(b), —CO₂R_(a), —C(═O)R_(a), —C(═O)NR_(a)R_(b), —OC(═O)R_(a), —OC(═O)NR_(a)R_(b), —NR_(a)C(═O)R_(b), —NR_(a)CO₂R_(b), aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclo, and/or another 4 to 7 membered cycloalkyl ring, wherein R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) are defined as above. When R_(a), R_(b) and R_(c) are selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group, such groups are in turn optionally substituted as set forth above in the definition for substituted alkyl. The term “cycloalkyl” also includes such rings having a second ring fused thereto (e.g., including benzo, heterocyclo, or heteroaryl rings) or having a carbon-carbon bridge of 3 to 4 carbon atoms. When a cycloalkyl has a second ring fused thereto or is substituted with a further ring, i.e., aryl, arylalkyl, heteroaryl, heteroarylalkyl, heterocyclo, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkylalkyl, or a further cycloalkyl ring, such ring in turn may be substituted with one to two C₀₋₆alkyl substituted with one to two of (or bonded to one of) halogen, tirfluoromethyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, nitro, cyano, keto (═O), OH, —O(alkyl), phenyloxy, benzyloxy, SH, —S(alkyl), NH₂, —NH(alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(alkyl), —SO₂(alkyl), —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NH(alkyl), —SO₂N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂H, —CO₂(alkyl), —C(═O)H, —C(═O)alkyl, —C(═O)NH₂, —C(═O)NH(alkyl), —C(═O)N(alkyl)₂, —OC(═O)alkyl, —OC(═O)NH₂, —OC(═O)NH(alkyl), —NHC(═O)alkyl, and —NHCO₂(alkyl).

Thus, the term “cycloalkyl” includes cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, etc., as well as the following ring systems,

and the like, which optionally may be substituted at any available atoms of the ring(s).

The term “aryl” refers to phenyl, biphenyl, 1-naphthyl, and 2-naphthyl, with phenyl being preferred. The term “aryl” includes such rings having zero to three substituents (preferably 0-2 substituents), selected from the group consisting of 1) R_(h); and 2) C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted with one to three R_(g), wherein R_(g) is as defined above for cycloalkyl, and R_(h) is selected from the same groups as R_(g) but does not include keto (═O). Additionally, two substituents attached to an aryl, particularly a phenyl group, may join to form a further ring such as a fused or spiro-ring, e.g., cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl, or fused heterocyclo or heteroaryl. When an aryl is substituted with a further ring, such ring in turn may be substituted with one to two C₀₋₆alkyl substituted with one to two of (or bonded to one of) halogen, tirfluoromethyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, nitro, cyano, keto (═O), OH, —O(alkyl), phenyloxy, benzyloxy, SH, —S(alkyl), NH₂, —NH(alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(alkyl), —SO₂(alkyl), —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NH(alkyl), —SO₂N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂H, —CO₂(alkyl), —C(═O)H, —C(═O)alkyl, —C(═O)NH₂, —C(═O)NH(alkyl), —C(═O)N(alkyl)₂, —OC(═O)alkyl, —OC(═O)NH₂, —OC(═O)NH(alkyl), —NHC(═O)alkyl, and —NHCO₂(alkyl).

Thus, examples of aryl groups include:

the like, which optionally may be substituted at any available carbon or nitrogen atom.

The term “heterocyclo” or “heterocyclic” refers to substituted and unsubstituted non-aromatic 3 to 7 membered monocyclic groups, 7 to 11 membered bicyclic groups, and 10 to 15 membered tricyclic groups, in which at least one of the rings has at least one heteroatom (O, S or N). Each ring of the heterocyclo group containing a heteroatom can contain one or two oxygen or sulfur atoms and/or from one to four nitrogen atoms provided that the total number of heteroatoms in each ring is four or less, and further provided that the ring contains at least one carbon atom. The fused rings completing bicyclic and tricyclic groups may contain only carbon atoms and may be saturated, partially saturated, or unsaturated. The nitrogen and sulfur atoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen atoms may optionally be quaternized. The heterocyclo group may be attached at any available nitrogen or carbon atom. The heterocyclic ring may contain zero to three substituents (preferably 0-2 substituents), selected from 1) R_(g); and 2) C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted with one to three R_(g), wherein R_(g) is defined as above for cycloalkyl groups. Additionally, when a heterocyclo is substituted with a further ring, such ring in turn may be substituted with one to two C₀₋₆alkyl substituted with one to two of (or bonded to one of) halogen, tirfluoromethyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, nitro, cyano, keto (═O), OH, —O(alkyl), phenyloxy, benzyloxy, SH, —S(alkyl), NH₂, —NH(alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(alkyl), —SO₂(alkyl), —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NH(alkyl), —SO₂N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂H, —CO₂(alkyl), —C(═O)H, —C(═O)alkyl, —C(═O)NH₂, —C(═O)NH(alkyl), —C(═O)N(alkyl)₂, —OC(═O)alkyl, —OC(═O)NH₂, —OC(═O)NH(alkyl), —NHC(═O)alkyl, and —NHCO₂(alkyl).

Thus, exemplary heterocyclic groups include, without limitation:

and the like, which optionally may be substituted at any available carbon or nitrogen atom.

The term “heteroaryl” refers to substituted and unsubstituted aromatic 5 to 7 membered monocyclic groups, 9 or 10 membered bicyclic groups, and 11 to 14 membered tricyclic groups which have at least one heteroatom (O, S or N) in at least one of the rings. Each ring of the heteroaryl group containing a heteroatom can contain one or two oxygen or sulfur atoms and/or from one to four nitrogen atoms provided that the total number of heteroatoms in each ring is four or less and each ring has at least one carbon atom. The fused rings completing the bicyclic and tricyclic groups may contain only carbon atoms and may be saturated, partially saturated, or unsaturated. The nitrogen and sulfur atoms may optionally be oxidized and the nitrogen atoms may optionally be quaternized. Heteroaryl groups which are bicyclic or tricyclic must include at least one fully aromatic ring but the other fused ring or rings may be aromatic or non-aromatic. The heteroaryl group may be attached at any available nitrogen or carbon atom of any ring. The heteroaryl ring system may contain zero to three substituents (preferably 0-2 substituents), selected from 1) R_(h); and 2) C₁₋₆ alkyl substituted with one to three R_(g), wherein R_(g) and R_(h) are defined above as for aryl groups. Additionally, when a heteroaryl is substituted with a further ring, such ring in turn may be substituted with one to two C₀₋₆alkyl substituted with one to two of (or bonded to one of) halogen, tirfluoromethyl, C₂₋₆alkenyl, nitro, cyano, keto (═O), OH, —O(alkyl), phenyloxy, benzyloxy, SH, —S(alkyl), NH₂, —NH(alkyl), —N(alkyl)₂, —NHSO₂(alkyl), —SO₂(alkyl), —SO₂NH₂, —SO₂NH(alkyl), —SO₂N(alkyl)₂, —CO₂H, —CO₂(alkyl), —C(═O)H, —C(═O)alkyl, —C(═O)NH₂, —C(═O)NH(alkyl), —C(═O)N(alkyl)₂, —OC(═O)alkyl, —OC(═O)NH₂, —OC(═O)NH(alkyl), —NHC(═O)alkyl, and —NHCO₂(alkyl).

Examples of heteroaryl rings include

and the like, which optionally may be substituted at any available carbon or nitrogen atom.

The term “carbocyclic” refers to optionally substituted aromatic or non-aromatic 3 to 7 membered monocyclic and 7 to 11 membered bicyclic groups, in which all atoms of the ring or rings are carbon atoms. A carbocyclic ring system may optionally be substituted as defined above for aryl and cycloalkyl groups.

When the term “unsaturated” is used herein to refer to a ring or group, the ring or group may be fully unsaturated or partially unsaturated.

When reference is made to a specifically-named ringed group, such as cyclohexyl, phenyl, morpholinyl, oxazolyl, and the like, it should be understood that, unless the presence or absence of substituents is otherwise specifically stated, these groups optionally may be substituted as recited above for the corresponding genus of rings in which they belong.

When reference is made generally to a monocyclic or bicyclic ring system, such reference is intended to include cycloalkyl, aryl, heterocyclo, and heteroaryl rings, as defined above.

The term “metal ion” refers to alkali metal ions such as sodium, potassium or lithium and alkaline earth metal ions such as magnesium and calcium, as well as zinc and aluminum.

Whenever a bond appears in a formula as a dashed-double bond, i.e., with one bond appearing as a dash as in

it should be understood that such bonds may be selected from single or double bonds, as appropriate given the selections for adjacent atoms and bonds.

Multiple substituents may be selected for any compound within the scope of this invention; however, advantageously substituents are selected so that the compounds of formula (I) have a molecular weight of less than 1,500. More preferred are compounds having a molecular weight of less than 1,000, and even more preferred are compounds having a molecular of less than 500.

It should be understood that one skilled in the field may make various substitutions for each of the groups recited in the claims herein, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Throughout the specification, groups and substituents thereof may be chosen by one skilled in the field to provide stable moieties and compounds.

The compounds of the present invention form salts which are also within the scope of this invention. Unless otherwise indicated, reference to an inventive compound is understood to include reference to salts thereof. The term “salt(s)” denotes acidic and/or basic salts formed with inorganic and/or organic acids and bases. In addition, the term “salt(s) may include zwitterions (inner salts), e.g., when a compound of the present invention contains both a basic moiety, such as an amine or a pyridine or imidazole ring, and an acidic moiety, such as a carboxylic acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable (i.e., non-toxic, physiologically acceptable) salts are preferred, such as, for example, acceptable metal and amine salts in which the cation does not contribute significantly to the toxicity or biological activity of the salt. However, other salts may be useful, e.g., in isolation or purification steps which may be employed during preparation, and thus, are contemplated within the scope of the invention. Salts of the compounds of the present invention may be formed, for example, by reacting a compound of the present invention with an amount of acid or base, such as an equivalent amount, in a medium such as one in which the salt precipitates or in an aqueous medium followed by lyophilization.

Exemplary acid addition salts include acetates (such as those formed with acetic acid or trihaloacetic acid, for example, trifluoroacetic acid), adipates, alginates, ascorbates, aspartates, benzoates, benzenesulfonates, bisulfates, borates, butyrates, citrates, camphorates, camphorsulfonates, cyclopentanepropionates, digluconates, dodecylsulfates, ethanesulfonates, fumarates, glucoheptanoates, glycerophosphates, hemisulfates, heptanoates, hexanoates, hydrochlorides (formed with hydrochloric acid), hydrobromides (formed with hydrogen bromide), hydroiodides, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonates, lactates, maleates (formed with maleic acid), methanesulfonates (formed with methanesulfonic acid), 2-naphthalenesulfonates, nicotinates, nitrates, oxalates, pectinates, persulfates, 3-phenylpropionates, phosphates, picrates, pivalates, propionates, salicylates, succinates, sulfates (such as those formed with sulfuric acid), sulfonates (such as those mentioned herein), tartrates, thiocyanates, toluenesulfonates such as tosylates, undecanoates, and the like.

Exemplary basic salts include ammonium salts, alkali metal salts such as sodium, lithium, and potassium salts; alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium salts; barium, zinc, and aluminum salts; salts with organic bases (for example, organic amines) such as trialkylamines such as triethylamine, procaine, dibenzylamine, N-benzyl-β-phenethylamine, 1-ephenamine, N,N′-dibenzylethylene-diamine, dehydroabietylamine, N-ethylpiperidine, benzylamine, dicyclohexylamine or similar pharmaceutically acceptable amines and salts with amino acids such as arginine, lysine and the like. Basic nitrogen-containing groups may be quaternized with agents such as lower alkyl halides (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl chlorides, bromides and iodides), dialkyl sulfates (e.g., dimethyl, diethyl, dibutyl, and diamyl sulfates), long chain halides (e.g., decyl, lauryl, myristyl and stearyl chlorides, bromides and iodides), aralkyl halides (e.g., benzyl and phenethyl bromides), and others. Preferred salts include monohydrochloride, hydrogensulfate, methanesulfonate, phosphate or nitrate.

Prodrugs and solvates of the inventive compounds are also contemplated. The term “prodrug” denotes a compound which, upon administration to a subject, undergoes chemical conversion by metabolic or chemical processes to yield a compound of the present invention, and/or a salt and/or solvate thereof. Various forms of prodrugs are well known in the art. For examples of such prodrug derivatives, see:

a) Design of Prodrugs, edited by H. Bundgaard, (Elsevier, 1985) and Methods in Enzymology, Vol. 42, p. 309-396, edited by K. Widder, et al (Acamedic Press, 1985);

b) A Textbook of Drug Design and Development, edited by Krosgaard-Larsen and H. Bundgaard, Chapter 5, “Design and Application of Prodrugs,” by H. Bundgaard, 113-191 (1991); and

c) H. Bundgaard, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 8, 1-38 (1992), each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Compounds containing a carboxy group can form physiologically hydrolyzable esters which serve as prodrugs by being hydrolyzed in the body to yield the present invention compounds per se. Such prodrugs are preferably administered orally since hydrolysis in many instances occurs principally under the influence of the digestive enzymes. Parenteral administration may be used where the ester per se is active, or in those instances where hydrolysis occurs in the blood. Examples of physiologically hydrolyzable esters of compounds of the present invention include C₁₋₆alkylbenzyl, 4-methoxybenzyl, indanyl, phthalyl, methoxymethyl, C₁₋₆alkanoyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. acetoxymethyl, pivaloyloxymethyl or propionyloxymethyl, C₁₋₆alkoxycarbonyloxy-C₁₋₆alkyl, e.g. methoxycarbonyl-oxymethyl or ethoxycarbonyloxymethyl, glycyloxymethyl, phenylglycyloxymethyl, (5-methyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolen-4-yl)-methyl and other well known physiologically hydrolyzable esters used, for example, in the penicillin and cephalosporin arts. Such esters may be prepared by conventional techniques known in the art.

Compounds of the present invention or salts thereof may exist in their tautomeric form, in which hydrogen atoms are transposed to other parts of the molecules and the chemical bonds between the atoms of the molecules are consequently rearranged. It should be understood that the all tautomeric forms, insofar as they may exist, are included within the invention. Additionally, inventive compounds may have trans and cis isomers and may contain one or more chiral centers, therefore existing in enantiomeric and diastereomeric forms. The invention includes all such isomers, as well as mixtures of cis and trans isomers, mixtures of diastereomers and racemic mixtures of enantiomers (optical isomers). When no specific mention is made of the configuration (cis, trans or R or S) of a compound (or of an asymmetric carbon), then any one of the isomers or a mixture of more than one isomer is intended. The processes for preparation can use racemates, enantiomers or diastereomers as starting materials. When enantiomeric or diastereomeric products are prepared, they can be separated by conventional methods for example, chromatographic or fractional crystallization.

The compounds of the instant invention may, for example, be in the free or hydrate form, and may be obtained by methods exemplified by the following descriptions.

Preferred Compounds

The methods of the invention preferably comprise administration of compounds of formula (I),

or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, hydrates, and prodrugs thereof, in which:

A is selected from phenyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, furyl, thienyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, diazolyl, pyrrolyl, and pyrazolyl, said ring A being optionally substituted with up to two groups selected from halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, OH, C₁₋₄alkoxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, CN, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), and N(alkyl)₂;

B is

D is phenyl, or A is a carbocyclic ring and D is selected from pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, and pyrrolyl;

R₁ is selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one of halogen, hydroxy, amino, C₁₋₃alkoxy, or C₁₋₆alkylamino;

R₂ and R₃ are attached to any available carbon atom of ring B and ring D, respectively, and at each occurrence are independently selected from halogen, cyano, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₄alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₆alkylamino(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₄alkylthio(C₀₋₄alkyl);

R₄, R₅, R₆, R₇ and R₈ are independently selected from hydrogen and C₁₄alkyl;

R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from hydrogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, and C₁₋₄alkyl substituted with one to two R₂₅; or alternatively, R₉ and R₁₀ taken together may form a 3-8 membered heterocyclic ring or a five to six membered heteroaryl ring, said ring being optionally substituted with up to three R₃₀;

R₁₁ at each occurrence is independently selected from halogen, cyano, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₄alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₆alkylamino(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₄alkylthio(C₀₋₄alkyl), or two R₁₁ groups may be taken together to form a fused benzo, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic ring, wherein said ring in turn is optionally substituted with up to one A group and/or one to two of hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₄alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl);

R₂₅ is halogen, hydroxy, C₁₋₃alkoxy, amino, or C₁₋₆alkylamino;

R₃₀ is selected from C₁₋₄alkyl, oxo (═O), halo(C₀₋₄alkyl), hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₀₋₄alkyl), amino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₄alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₆alkylamino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₄alkylthio(C₀₋₄alkyl), —C(═O)C₁₋₄alkyl, and —CO₂C₁₋₄alkyl;

a is 0 or 1;

m is 0, 1, or 2;

n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;

p is 0, 1 or 2; and

q is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.

The methods of the invention preferably comprise administration of compounds of formula (I), where A is selected from phenyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, furyl, thienyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, diazolyl, pyrrolyl, and pyrazolyl, said ring A being optionally substituted with up to two groups selected from halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, trifluoromethyl, or cyano. More preferably A is oxazolyl which is unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₂alkyl, and D is carbocyclic.

The methods of the invention preferably comprise administration of compounds of formula (I), where B is

more preferably B is

and even more preferred are compounds where B is

and is unsubstituted. Thus, R₂ is preferably absent (or R_(2a) is preferably hydrogen).

The methods of the invention preferably comprise administration of compounds of formula (I), where D is selected from phenyl, pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, and pyrrolyl; more preferred are compounds where D is phenyl.

The methods of the invention preferably comprise administration of compounds of formula (I), where R₃ is absent, or is attached to any available carbon atom of ring D and at each occurrence is independently selected from halogen, cyano, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₁₋₄alkyl), amino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₄alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₆alkylamino(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₄alkylthio(C₀₋₄alkyl). More preferred are methods comprising use of compounds where R₃ is absent or if present, is halogen, more preferably fluoro, wherein n is 1-4.

In the methods of the invention, preferably R₆ is selected from C₁₋₄alkyl; more preferably methyl.

The methods of the invention preferably comprise administration of compounds of formula (I), where R₄, R₅, R₇, R₈, R₉ and R₁₀ are each selected from hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl; more preferably each of said groups is hydrogen.

The methods of the invention preferably comprise administration of compounds of formula (I), where R₁₁ is selected from halogen, cyano, C₁₋₄alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃ and C₁₋₄alkoxy, and q is 0 or 1.

Also preferred in practicing the methods of the invention are compounds having the formula (Ia),

or pharmaceutically-acceptable salts, hydrates, or prodrugs thereof, in which:

A is selected from phenyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, furyl, thienyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, diazolyl, pyrrolyl, and pyrazolyl, said ring A being optionally substituted with up to two groups selected from halogen, NO₂, C₁₋₄alkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, OH, C₁₋₄alkoxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, CN, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), and N(alkyl)₂;

D is phenyl, or when A is phenyl, then D is selected from pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, and pyrrolyl;

R_(2a) is selected from hydrogen, halogen, and C₁₋₄alkyl;

R₃ is selected from halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, CF₃, OCF₃, cyano, and C₁₋₃alkoxy;

R₆ is C₁₋₄alkyl;

R₁₁ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₀₋₄alkyl), amino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₃alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₆alkylamino(C₀₋₄alkyl), or two R₁₁ groups may be taken together to form a fused benzo, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic ring, wherein said ring in turn is optionally substituted with up to one A group and/or one to two of hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₄alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl);

R₉ and R₁₀ are independently selected from hydrogen and C₁₋₄alkyl;

a is 0 or 1;

n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;

p is 0, 1 or 2; and

q is 0, 1, or 2.

Most preferred are the inventive methods comprising administration of the compounds as immediately defined above, wherein A is oxazolyl that is unsubstituted or substituted with C₁₋₂alkyl; D is phenyl; R_(2a) is hydrogen; R₃ is absent (n is 0), or R₃ is halogen, more preferably fluoro (and n is 1-4); R₆ is methyl; R₁₁ is hydrogen, halogen, or methoxy; R₉ and R₁₀ are hydrogen; a is 0 or 1; and p is 1.

The invention also relates to preferred compounds of the present invention, exemplified herein and as defined above, which have demonstrated activity in inhibiting Factor VIIa with IC₅₀ values (concentration required to inhibit 50% of specific binding) below 1 μM, and more preferred compounds that have demonstrated IC₅₀ values of below 500 nM.

Methods of Preparation

The compounds of the present invention may be synthesized using conventional techniques known in the art. Advantageously, these compounds are conveniently synthesized from readily-available starting materials. Additionally, illustrative general synthetic schemes for making compounds of the present invention are set forth below, and methods for making the compounds useful to the invention are also set forth in the Examples that follow hereinafter. In these schemes, the group Q may designate the substituent R₁₁ or an appropriate precursor thereto, which one skilled in the field may select as appropriate for a given reaction. Groups designated A, D, etc., are also intended to refer to such groups as recited in the claims.

The preparation of heterocycles useful to this invention is described in the literature, e.g., Katritzky et al., “Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry, The Structure, Reactions, Synthesis and Uses of Heterocyclic Compounds,” (Pergamon Press New York, 1984 [1st Ed.], and 1996). Methods of preparation useful to make compounds of this invention also may be described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,399,773, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Reaction of an appropriately-substituted amine (1) with a reagent such as 1,1′-thiocarbonyldi-2(1H)-pyridone, 1,1′-thiocarbonyldiimidazole or thiophosgene in a solvent such as methylene chloride or dioxane yields the isothiocyanate (2). Treatment of the isothiocyanate (2) with sodium salt of cyanamide yields the sodium salt of N-cyanothiourea (3), which is cyclized to the substituted 1,2,4-aminotriazole (II), using an appropriately-substituted hydrazine and a dehydrating agent such as EDC or DCC.

An appropriately-substituted anine (1) can be reacted with diphenyl cyanocarbonimidate to yield the N-cyano-O-phenylisourea (4). Cyclization of compound (4) to the substituted triazole (II) is achieved using an appropriately-substituted hydrazine and a solvent such as acetonitrile.

Reaction of an isothiocyanate (2) with a β-ketoamine in the presence of a base such as TEA and a solvent such as dioxane yields the thiourea (5). Reaction of the thiourea in the presence of a dehydrating agent such as dicyclohexylcarbodiimide or EDC, in a solvent such as dioxane or toluene, at a temperature preferably between 60° C. and 110° C., yields the desired 2-aminooxazoles (III). β-ketoamines are either commercially available or can be readily prepared by several methods. One exemplary method is reduction of azidoketones of the type described in schemes 5a-5d, by phosphine reagents such as triphenylphosphine in a solvent such as dioxane, followed by the addition of water or dilute ammonium hydroxide.

Reaction of an appropriately-substituted isothiocyanate (2) with an acylazide of the type described in schemes 5a-5b in the presence of a phosphine such as triphenyphosphine in a solvent such as DCM or dioxane at a temperature from rt to 100° C., also yields compounds (III). One skilled in the field will recognize that caution should be exercised while handling organic azides.

Treatment of the α-bromoketone (6) with sodium azide in a solvent such as acetone, generally at rt, yields the desired α-azidoketones (7) useful as intermediates in this invention. α-Bromoketones (6) are commercially available. Alternatively, α-bromoketones can be readily prepared from a ketone [CH₃—C(═O)D], by (a) reaction with a brominating agent such as bromine in acetic acid or pyridinium bromide perbromide and 30% hydrobromic acid; (b) reaction with a carboxylic acid, isobutylchloroformate and N-methylmorpholine to provide the mixed anhydride, which on treatment with diazomethane (CH₂N₂) gives the α-diazoketone. Reaction of the α-diazoketone with either HBr gas in a solvent such as ether or dioxane, or aqueous 48% HBr, provides the α-bromoketone (6); or (c) reaction with sulfuric acid and bromine which yields the α,α-dibromoketone, which on treatment with diethylphosphite and TEA yields the α-(mono)bromoketone (6).

Reaction of an aryl bromide (8) with tributyl(1-ethoxyvinyl) tin and bis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium dichloride provides an intermediate enol ether. Treatment of the enol ether with N-bromosuccinamide at a temperature from 0° C. to rt yields the α-bromoketone (9). As described in Scheme 5a, treatment of the α-bromoketone with sodium azide in acetone gives the α-azidoketone (10).

Aryl boronic acids and esters of type (12), may be prepared from the corresponding arylbromide (11) by treatment with a palladium catalyst such as [1,1′-Bis(diphenylphosphino)-ferrocene]dichloropalladium (II) and bis(pinacolato)diboron, as reported by Ishayama et al., J. Org. Chem., 1995, 7508-7510. Aryl boronic esters may be converted to the corresponding boronic acids by several methods including treatment with aqueous HCl. In a variation of the synthesis, the nitrogen may be masked as a nitro group and later reduced by several means including metal reductions, such as by treatment with tin chloride in HCl or by refluxing the nitro compound with zinc in the presence of CaCl₂ in a solvent such as EtOH, or in certain cases the nitro group may be reduced by catalytic hydrogenation in the presence of catalysts such as Pd/C. The conditions for the reduction of nitro groups are detailed in several references including Hudlicky, M., “Reductions in Organic Chemistry”, 2nd Ed., ACS Monograph 188 (1996), pp. 91-101. In a second variation of the synthesis, the aryl bromide is allowed to remain through the entire synthesis and elaborated to the boronic acid at the end. This may eliminate the need for a protecting group.

Suzuki-type cross coupling of an aryl boronic acid or ester (12) with an appropriate bromoheterocycle (13) in the presence of a suitable catalyst such as Pd(PPh₃)₄ yields the desired protected amide (14) (see, e.g., Miyaura et al., Synth. Comm., 1981, 11(7), 513-19; Suzuki et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1989, 111:513; and Kalinin, Russ. Chem. Rev., 1991, 60, 173). The amide (13) may be deprotected as known to one skilled in the art (see, e.g., Greene and Wuts, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, (John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y. 1991). For example, if the protecting group is acetyl, the product may be deprotected by treatment with aqueous KOH at a concentration of 0.5 N to 5 N at rt to 100° C. for a period between 0.5 h and 24 h, to provide amine (14), an intermediate for making compounds according to the invention. Compounds (12) can be prepared as shown in Scheme 6.

Aryl boronic acid (12) may be reacted with 5-bromothiazole in the presence of Pd(PPh₃)₄, to provide (15). Alternatively, aryl boronic acid (12) may be reacted with oxazolone in the presence of copper (II) acetate and an amine base such as pyridine to provide intermediate (16). Compounds (15) and (16) may be deprotected by an appropriate method. Copper has been shown to be an effective catalyst for cross coupling of aryl boronic acids to N-unsubstituted heterocycles as described by Chan. et al., Tetrahed Lett., 1998, 39, 2933-36; and Lam et al., Tetrahed. Lett., 1998, 39, 2941-44. This results in compounds in which the heterocycle is attached to the aryl ring through nitrogen rather than carbon.

Oxazoles may be prepared by 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition of the corresponding aldehyde (17) and (p-tolylsulfonyl)methyl isocyanate (TOSMIC) (19). The aldehyde may be commercially available or prepared from the corresponding methyl group by oxidation with reagents such as CrO₃, MnO₂, and ammonium cerium (IV) nitrate. These methods are well known to one skilled in the art and described in Hudlicky, M., Oxidations in Organic Chemistry, ACS Monograph 186 (1990). The nitro group in intermediate (19) is reduced to an amine (20) by methods known in the field. Synthesis of 5-membered heterocycles by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition is also described by Padwa, 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Chemistry, Vols. 1 & 2 (John Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y., 1984).

Halonitrobenzenes (21) are either commercially available or can be readily prepared by methods known to one skilled in the art. Displacement of halonitrobenzenes (21) with a variety of nucleophiles produces compounds of structure (22). In one example, heating (21a) with a nucleophilic heterocycle such as triazole with or without the addition of a base provides the intermediate nitro compound which may be reduced as previously described to provide amines (22a). Alternatively, simple organic nucleophiles such as cyanide can be reacted with halonitrobenzene (21b) to provide an intermediate nitro compound which can be reduced by many methods to produce amine (22b).

Utility

The inventive compounds are inhibitors of the serine protease FVIIa. Thus, the compounds are useful for treating or preventing those processes, which involve the action of Factor VIIa. As used herein with reference to the utilities described below, the term “treating” or “treatment” encompasses either or both responsive and prophylaxis measures, e.g., measures designed to inhibit or delay the onset of the disease or disorder, achieve a full or partial reduction of the symptoms or disease state, and/or to alleviate, ameliorate, lessen, or cure the disease or disorder and/or its symptoms.

In view of their above-referenced FVIIa inhibitory activity, the inventive compounds are useful in treating consequences of atherosclerotic plaque rupture including cardiovascular diseases associated with the activation of the coagulation cascade in thrombotic or thrombophilic states. Such diseases include arterial thrombosis, coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, ischemia resulting from vascular occlusion cerebral infarction, stroke and related cerebral vascular diseases (including cerebrovascular accident and transient ischemic attack). Additionally, the compounds are useful in treating or preventing formation of atherosclerotic plaques, transplant atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease and intermittent claudication. In addition, the compounds can be used to prevent restenosis following arterial injury induced endogenously (by rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque), or exogenously (by invasive cardiological procedures such as vessel wall injury resulting from angioplasty).

In addition, the inventive compounds are useful in preventing venous thrombosis, coagulation syndromes, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, Kasabach-Merritt syndrome, pulmonary embolism, cerebral thrombosis, atrial fibrillation, and cerebral embolism. The compounds are useful in treating peripheral arterial occlusion, thromboembolic complications of surgery (such as hip replacement, endarterectomy, introduction of artificial heart valves, vascular grafts, and mechanical organs), implantation or transplantation of organ, tissue or cells, and thromboembolic complications of medications (such as oral contraceptives, hormone replacement, and heparin, e.g., for treating heparin-induced thrombocytopenia). The inventive compounds are useful in preventing thrombosis associated with artificial heart valves, stents, and ventricular enlargement including dilated cardiac myopathy and heart failure. The compounds are also useful in treating thrombosis due to confinement (i.e. immobilization, hospitalization, bed rest etc.).

These compounds are also useful in preventing thrombosis and complications in patients genetically predisposed to arterial thrombosis or venous thrombosis (including activated protein C resistance, FV_(leiden), Prothrombin 20210, elevated coagulation factors FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX, FXI, prothrombin, TAFI and fibrinogen), elevated levels of homocystine, and deficient levels of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S. The inventive compounds may be used for treating heparin-intolerant patients, including those with congenital and acquired antithrombin III deficiencies, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and those with high levels of polymorphonuclear granulocyte elastase.

The present compounds may also be used to inhibit blood coagulation in connection with the preparation, storage, fractionation, or use of whole blood. For example, the compounds may be used to maintain whole and fractionated blood in the fluid phase such as required for analytical and biological testing, e.g., for ex vivo platelet and other cell function studies, bioanalytical procedures, and quantitation of blood-containing components. The compounds may be used as anticoagulants in extracorpeal blood circuits, such as those necessary in dialysis and surgery (such as coronary artery bypass surgery); for maintaining blood vessel patency in patients undergoing transluminal coronary angioplasty, vascular surgery including bypass grafting, arterial reconstruction, atherectomy, vascular graft and stent patency, tumor cell metastasis, and organ, tissue, or cell implantation and transplantation.

In addition, the compounds of the present invention may be useful in treating cancer and preventing the prothrombotic complications of cancer. The compounds may be useful in treating tumor growth, as an adjunct to chemotherapy, for preventing angiogenesis, and for treating cancer, more particularly, cancer of the lung, prostate, colon, breast, ovaries, and bone.

The inventive compounds may also be used in combination with other antithrombotic or anticoagulant drugs such as thrombin inhibitors, platelet aggregation inhibitors such as aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine or CS-747, warfarin, low molecular weight heparins (such as LOVENOX), GPIIb/GPIIIa blockers, PAI-1 inhibitors such as XR-330 and T-686, inhibitors of α-2-antiplasmin such as anti-α-2-antiplasmin antibody and thromboxane receptor antagonists (such as ifetroban), prostacyclin mimetics, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors, such as dipyridamole or cilostazol, PDE inhibitors in combination with thromboxane receptor antagonists/thromboxane A synthetase inhibitors (such as picotamide), serotonin-2-receptor antagonists (such as ketanserin), fibrinogen receptor antagonists, hypolipidemic agents, such as HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, e.g., pravastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, cerivastatin, AZ4522, itavastatin (Nissan/Kowa), and compounds disclosed in U.S. provisional applications No. 60/211,594 filed Jun. 15, 2000, and No. 60/211,595 filed Jun. 15, 2000; microsomal triglyceride transport protein inhibitors (such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,135, 5,712,279 and 5,760,246), antihypertensive agents such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (e.g., captopril, lisinopril or fosinopril); angiotensin-II receptor antagonists (e.g., irbesartan, losartan or valsartan); and/or ACE/NEP inhibitors (e.g., omapatrilat and gemopatrilat); β-blockers (such as propranolol, nadolol and carvedilol), PDE inhibitors in combination with aspirin, ifetroban, picotamide, ketanserin, or clopidogrel and the like. The inventive compounds are also useful in combination with anti-arrhythmic agents such as for atrial fibrillation, for example, amiodarone or dofetilide.

The inventive compounds may be used in combination with prothrombolytic agents, such as tissue plasminogen activator (natural or recombinant), streptokinase, reteplase, activase, lanoteplase, urokinase, prourokinase, anisolated streptokinase plasminogen activator complex (ASPAC), animal salivary gland plasminogen activators, and the like.

The inventive compounds may also be used in combination with β-adrenergic agonists such as albuterol, terbutaline, formoterol, salmeterol, bitolterol, pilbuterol, or fenoterol; anticholinergics such as ipratropium bromide; anti-inflammatory cortiocosteroids such as beclomethasone, triamcinolone, budesonide, fluticasone, flunisolide or dexamethasone; and anti-inflammatory agents such as cromolyn, nedocromil, theophylline, zileuton, zafirlukast, monteleukast and pranleukast.

The inventive compounds may also be useful in combination with other anticancer strategies and chemotherapies such as taxol and/or cisplatin.

The compounds may act synergistically with one or more of the above agents. For example, the inventive compounds may act synergistically with the above agents to prevent reocclusion following a successful thrombolytic therapy and/or reduce the time to reperfusion. Thus, reduced doses of thrombolytic agent(s) may be used, therefore minimizing potential hemorrhagic side effects.

The compounds of the present invention may be administered by any means suitable for the condition to be treated, which may depend on the need for site-specific treatment or quantity of drug to be delivered. Systematic treatment is typically preferred for cancerous conditions, although other modes of delivery are contemplated. The compounds may be delivered orally, such as in the form of tablets, capsules, granules, powders, or liquid formulations including syrups; sublingually; bucally; transdermally; parenterally, such as by subcutaneous, intravenous, intramuscular or intrasternal injection or infusion (e.g., as sterile injectable aqueous or non-aqueous solutions or suspensions); nasally such as by inhalation spray; rectally such as in the form of suppositories, or in the form of liposome particles. Dosage unit formulations containing non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable vehicles or diluents may be administered. The compounds may be administered in a form suitable for immediate release or extended release. Immediate release or extended release may be achieved with suitable pharmaceutical compositions or, particularly in the case of extended release, with devices such as subcutaneous implants or osmotic pumps.

Exemplary compositions for oral administration include suspensions which may contain, for example, microcrystalline cellulose for imparting bulk, alginic acid or sodium alginate as a suspending agent, methylcellulose as a viscosity enhancer, and sweeteners or flavoring agents such as those known in the art; and immediate release tablets which may contain, for example, microcrystalline cellulose, dicalcium phosphate, starch, magnesium stearate and/or lactose and/or other excipients, binders, extenders, disintegrants, diluents and lubricants such as those known in the art. The inventive compounds may be orally delivered by sublingual and/or buccal administration, e.g., with molded, compressed, or freeze-dried tablets. Exemplary compositions may include fast-dissolving diluents such as mannitol, lactose, sucrose, and/or cyclodextrins. Also included in such formulations may be high molecular weight excipients such as celluloses (AVICEL®) or polyethylene glycols (PEG); an excipient to aid mucosal adhesion such as hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC), and/or maleic anhydride copolymer (e.g., GANTREZ®); and agents to control release such as polyacrylic copolymer (e.g., CARBOPOL 934®). Lubricants, glidants, flavors, coloring agents and stabilizers may also be added for ease of fabrication and use.

Exemplary compositions for nasal aerosol or inhalation administration include solutions which may contain, for example, benzyl alcohol or other suitable preservatives, absorption promoters to enhance absorption and/or bioavailability, and/or other solubilizing or dispersing agents such as those known in the art.

Exemplary compositions for parenteral administration include injectable solutions or suspensions which may contain, for example, suitable non-toxic, parenterally acceptable diluents or solvents, such as mannitol, 1,3-butanediol, water, Ringer's solution, an isotonic sodium chloride solution, or other suitable dispersing or wetting and suspending agents, including synthetic mono- or diglycerides, and fatty acids, including oleic acid.

Exemplary compositions for rectal administration include suppositories which may contain, for example, suitable non-irritating excipients, such as cocoa butter, synthetic glyceride esters or polyethylene glycols, which are solid at ordinary temperatures but liquefy and/or dissolve in the rectal cavity to release the drug.

The effective amount of a compound of the present invention may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. The specific dose level and frequency of dosage for any particular subject may vary and will depend upon a variety of factors, including the activity of the specific compound employed, the metabolic stability and length of action of that compound, the species, age, body weight, general health, sex and diet of the subject, the mode and time of administration, rate of excretion, drug combination, and severity of the particular condition. An exemplary effective amount of compounds of the present invention may be within the dosage range of about 0.1 to about 100 mg/kg, preferably about 0.2 to about 50 mg/kg and more preferably about 0.5 to about 25 mg/kg (or from about 1 to about 2500 mg, preferably from about 5 to about 2000 mg) on a regimen in single or 2 to 4 divided daily doses.

Factor VIIa Assay

Compound was prepared as a 5 mM stock in DMSO, diluted further in DMSO and added directly to the assays. The DMSO concentration for all these studies was less than 1% and compared to DMSO vehicle controls.

Human Factor VIIa was obtained from Enzyme Research Labs (Cat.# HFVIIA 1640). Human recombinant tissue factor (INNOVIN from Dade Behring Cat.# B4212-100; “20 ml vial”) was diluted with 8 ml of H₂O per vial and diluted further 1:30 into the 302 μl final assay volume. Tissue factor activated FVIIa enzymatic activity was measured in a buffer containing 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂, 1 mM CHAPS and 1 mg/ml PEG 6000 (pH 7.4) with 1 nM FVIIa and 100 μM D-Ile-Pro-Arg-AFC (Enzyme Systems Products, Km>200 μM) 0.66% DMSO. The assay (302 μl total volume) was incubated at RT for 2 hr prior to reading fluorometric signal (Ex 405/Em 535) using a Victor 2 (Wallac) fluorescent plate reader.

To determine the compound concentration that inhibited half of the enzyme activity (IC₅₀), the fraction of control activity (FCA) was plotted as a function of the inhibitor concentration and curve to fit FCA/(1[I]/IC₅₀). The IC₅₀ for each compound was determined 2-4 times and the obtained values were averaged.

Applying the above-described assays, the inventive compounds demonstrated activity as inhibitors of Factors VIIa.

The following Examples illustrate embodiments of the inventive compounds and starting materials, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. For ease of reference, the following abbreviations are used herein:

Abbreviations

-   -   Me=methyl     -   Et=ethyl     -   Ph=phenyl     -   Bn=benzyl     -   t-Bu=tertiary butyl     -   Boc=tert-butoxycarbonyl     -   CBZ=carbobenzyloxy or carbobenzoxy or benzyloxycarbonyl     -   THF=tetrahydrofuran     -   EtOAc=ethyl acetate     -   DMF=dimethyl formamide     -   i-PrOH=isopropanol     -   DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxide     -   DME=1,2 dimethoxyethane     -   DCE=1,2 dichloroethane     -   DCM=dichloromethane     -   AcOH=acetic acid     -   TFA=trifluoroacetic acid     -   i-Pr₂NEt=diisopropylethylamine     -   DMAP=4-dimethylaminopyridine     -   NMM=N-methyl morpholine     -   NaHCO₃=sodium bicarbonate     -   NaBH(OAc)₃=sodium triacetoxyborohydride     -   Pd/C=palladium on carbon     -   EDC (or EDC.HCl) or EDCI (or EDCI.HCl) or         EDAC=3-ethyl-3′-(dimethylamino)propyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride         (or 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride)     -   HOBT or HOBT.H₂O=1-hydroxybenzotriazole hydrate     -   HOAT=1-Hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole     -   Pd(OAc)₂=Palladium acetate     -   CBZ-Cl=benzyl chloroformate     -   SAX=Strong Anion Exchanger     -   SCX=Strong Cation Exchanger     -   PVP=polyvinylpyridine     -   DCC=dicyclohexylcarbodiimide     -   DIC or DIPCDI=diisopropylcarbodiimide     -   DMA=dimethyl acetamide     -   DIAD=diisopropyl azodicarboxylate     -   DIEA=diisopropylethylamine     -   DIPEA=diisopropylethylamine     -   DPPF=1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene     -   TEA=triethylamine     -   TBS=t-butyldimethylsilyl     -   Tf=trifluoromethanesulfonyl     -   L=liter     -   mL=milliliter     -   μL=microliter     -   g=gram(s)     -   h=hour(s)     -   mg=milligram(s)     -   meq=milliequivalent     -   min=minute(s)     -   rt or RT=room temperature     -   conc.=concentrated     -   sat or sat'd=saturated     -   TLC=thin layer chromatography     -   HPLC=high performance liquid chromatography     -   RP HPLC=reverse phase HPLC     -   LC/MS=high performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry     -   MS or Mass Spec=mass spectrometry     -   MW=molecular weight     -   mp=melting point

EXAMPLE 1 2-Amino-N-{2-[2-(3-methoxy-4-oxazol-5-yl-phenylamino)-oxazol-5-yl]-benzyl}-N-methyl-acetamide

Part A. (2-Bromo-benzyl)-methyl-amine

A solution of 2-bromobenzylbromide (9 g, 36.1 mmol) in MeOH (60 ml) was added dropwise over 30 min. to a solution of methylamine in MeOH (200 mL of a 2.0 M solution, 0.4 mol). The resulting solution was stirred at rt for 2 h and concentrated. The residue obtained was dissolved in DCM (100 mL) and successively washed with saturated aqueous sodium carbonate, dried over sodium sulphate, and concentrated. The resulting oil was distilled to afford the title compound (7 g, 95%) as a colorless oil (b.p. 110° C. at 0.1 mm Hg, LC/MS retention time=1.22 min.; M⁺=201.92, Column: Phenominex 4.6 mm×50 mm. Solvent A=10% MeOH, 90% H₂O, 10 mM NH4Ac; Solvent B=90% MeOH, 10% H₂O, 10 mM NH4Ac, Flow rate: 4 mL/min, Gradient: 0% B-100% B 4 min.).

Part B. {[(2-Bromo-benzyl)-methyl-carbamoyl]-methyl}-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester

To a solution of compound 1A (1.0 g, 5 mmol) in 50 mL of DCM was added N-Boc-glycine (950 mg, 5.4 mmol), followed by 1-hydroxy-7-azabenzotriazole (800 mg, 5.84 mmol) and 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (4.41 g, 7.38 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt for 4 hours and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was dissolved in EtOAc and washed successively with saturated sodium bicarbonate, 1N-hydrochloric acid, dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure to give the title compound (1.8 g, 99%) as a colorless oil, which was used for the subsequent step without further purification.

Part C. ({[2-(1-Ethoxy-vinyl)-benzyl]-methyl-carbamoyl}-methyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester

To a solution of compound 1B (1.0 g, 2.79 mmol) in 50 mL of dioxane was added tributyl(1-ethoxyvinyl)tin (0.976 mL, 2.70 mmol) and dichlorobis(triphenyl-phosphine)palladium(II) (0.160 g, 0.16 mmol). The reaction mixture was equipped with a reflux condenser and heated at 100° C. for 18 hours. More dichlorobis-(triphenylphosphine)palladium(II) (0.100 g, 0.10 mmol) was added and the mixture was heated at 100° C. for another 2 h. The mixture was cooled to rt, concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue obtained was taken up in EtOAc. A solution of saturated potassium fluoride was added, and the resulting mixture was filtered over a thin pad of Celite® into a separating funnel. The filtrate was washed successively with saturated potassium fluoride and water, then dried over sodium sulfate, and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield the title compound as an oil (0.820 g, 84%) (LC/MS retention time=3.61 min.; M⁺=349, Column: Phenominex 4.6 mm×50 mm, Solvent A=10% MeOH, 90% H₂O, 10 mM NH4Ac; Solvent B=90% MeOH, 10% H₂O, 10 nM NH4Ac, Flow rate: 4 mL/min, Gradient: 0% B-100% B 4 min.).

Part D. ({[2-(2-Azido-acetyl)-benzyl]-methyl-carbamoyl}-methyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester

To a solution of compound 1C (3.6 g, 10.3 mmol) in THF (30 mL) and water (5 mL) was added N-bromosuccinimide (2.0 g, 11.23 mmol) and the contents stirred at rt for 10 min. The solution was concentrated under reduced pressure and partitioned between DCM and water. The DCM layer was dried over sodium sulfate, concentrated under reduced pressure to yield ({[2-(2-Bromo-acetyl)-benzyl]-methyl-carbamoyl}-methyl)-carbamic acid tert-butyl ester, which was then dissolved in a mixture of acetone (20 mL) and water (5 mL). Sodium azide (0.737 g, 11.16 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture stirred at 50° C. for 10 min., concentrated under reduced pressure, and partitioned between DCM and water. The DCM layer was dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting oil was purified by silica gel column chromatography to yield the title compound as a yellow oil (2.56 g, 68%) (LC/MS retention time=2.90 min.; M⁺=363, Column: Phenominex 4.6 mm×50 mm, Solvent A=10% MeOH, 90% H₂O, 10 mM NH4Ac; Solvent B=90% MeOH, 10% H₂O, 10 nM NH4Ac, Flow rate: 4 mL/min, Gradient: 0% B-100% B 4 min.).

Part E. 4-Nitro-2-methoxy-(α,α bisacetoxy)toluene

To a 5 L three-necked round bottom flask equipped with a mechanical stirrer was added 4-nitro-2-methoxytoluene (150.0 g, 0.8973 mol), HOAc (900 mL) and Ac₂O (900 mL). The mixture was stirred and cooled to 8° C. with an acetone/ice bath. Concentrated H₂SO₄ (136 mL) was carefully added while keeping the reaction temperature below 19° C. After cooling to 0° C., CrO₃ (252.6 g, 2.526 mol, 2.815 equiv.) was added portion-wise over 1 hour while maintaining the reaction temperature between 0-10° C. After the addition, the mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 30 minutes at which time the reaction was complete. The reaction mixture was then carefully poured into ice (1.5 kg) with stirring to give a slurry. The remaining black gummy residue was rinsed with HOAc (3×100 mL), and the washes were added to the slurry. After stirring for 10 minutes, the slurry was filtered. The cake was washed with water (3×400 mL) and suction dried for 17 hours to give compound 1E (129.0 g, 51%). ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) d 8.02 (s, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.77 (s, 1H), (d, 8.4 Hz, 1H), 3.98 (s, 3H), 2.16 (s, 6H).

Part F. 4-Nitro-2-methoxybenzaldehyde

To a 2 L rounded bottom flask equipped with a condenser and a mechanical stirrer was placed compound 1E (250.7 g, 0.8851 mol), dioxane (300 mL) and concentrated HCl (60 mL). The reaction mixture was heated to reflux and stirred under N₂ for 20 hours. Water (250 mL) was added dropwise while maintaining the reaction mixture at reflux. After cooling to 0° C. with an ice/water bath, the resulting slurry was stirred for 30 minutes and then filtered. The cake was washed with water (4×200 mL) and suction dried for 17 hours to give compound 1F (146.3 g, 91%) as a yellow solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) d 10.54 (s, 1H), 8.00 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 7.91 (s, 1H), 7.89 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1H), 4.08 (s, 3H).

Part G. 5-(4-Nitro-2-methoxyphenyl)oxazole

To a 5 L three-necked round bottom flask equipped with a condenser and a mechanical stirrer was placed compound 1F (146.3 g, 0.8076 mol), tosylmethyl isocyanide (157.7 g, 0.8077 mol), K₂CO₃ (116.6 g, 0.8075 mol) and MeOH (2.5 L). The mixture was heated to reflux under N₂ and stirred for 3 hours. Water (1.25 L) was added drop-wise while maintaining the pot temperature between 59-69° C. The resulting slurry was cooled to rt, and then to 5° C. with an ice-water bath. After stirring for 30 minutes at 5° C., the slurry was filtered. The resulting cake was washed with water (3×400 mL) and dried in a vacuum oven at 45° C. for 20 hours to compound 1G (148.5 g, 84%) as a yellow-reddish solid. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) d 8.02 (s, 1H), 7.97 (d, J=2 Hz, 1H), 7.95 (d, J=2 Hz, 1H), 7.86 (s, 1H), 7.78 (s, 1H), 4.11 (s, 3H).

Part H. 5-(4-Amino-2-methoxyphenyl)oxazole

In a 2 L hydrogenation flask was placed compound 1G (130.0 g, 0.6131 mol), Pd/C (10%, 26.2 g) and absolute EtOH (1280 mL). The mixture was hydrogenated at 35-45 psi H₂ until the reaction was complete. The mixture was filtered over a pad of celite (20 g) and the cake was washed with EtOH (3×100 mL). The filtrate was concentrated to a volume of 350 mL. Heptane (500 mL) was added to the resulting slurry. After stirring for 2 hours at rt, the slurry was filtered. The cake was washed with heptane (3×100 mL) and air-dried to give 1H (80.0 g). A second portion of product (30.2 g) was recovered from the mother liquor affording a total yield of 95%. ¹H NMR (CDCl₃) d 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.60 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (s, 1H), 6.41 (dd, J=8.4, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.34 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 3.98 (bs, 2H), 3.94 (s, 3H).

Part I. 5-(4-Isothiocyanato-2-methoxy-phenyl)-oxazole

To a solution of 5-(4-Amino-2-methoxyphenyl)oxazole 1H (200 mg, 1.05 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was added thiocarbonyldiimizaole (224 mg, 1.26 mmol) and the mixture was stirred at rt for 3 h. The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure, and the residue was dissolved in MeOH (9 mL) and aliquots of 3 mL were filtered through an SCX cartridge (CUBX1HL, 500 mg cartridge, United Chemical Technologies, Bristol Pa., USA). The filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to afford 440 mg of the title compound which was used for the subsequent step without further purification.

Part J. Example 1

To a solution of compound 1D (0.180 g, 0.50 mmol) in 2 mL of dioxane was added compound 1I (220 mg of crude mixture, 1 mmol) followed by triphenylphosphine (0.140 g, 0.53 mmol). The reaction mixture was placed in an oil bath preheated to 80° C. and stirred for 2 hour, then cooled to rt and the solvent was evaporated. The residue was treated for 1 h at rt with a 1:1 mixture of TFA and DCM, and the mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was dissolved in MeOH (2 mL), loaded onto an SCX cartridge (CUBX1HL, 500 mg cartridge, United Chemical Technologies, Bristol Pa., USA) which was washed with MeOH (3 mL). The title compound was eluted from the cartridge with a 2.0 M solution of ammonia in MeOH (3 mL) and purified by preparative reverse phase HPLC to yield 0.070 g of an orange oil. (LC/MS retention time=2.93 min.; MH⁺=435, Column: Phenominex 4.6 mm×50 mm, Solvent A=10% MeOH, 90% H₂O, 10 mM NH4Ac; Solvent B=90% MeOH, 10% H₂O, 10 mM NH4Ac, Flow rate: 4 mL/min, Gradient: 0% B-100% B 4 min.).

EXAMPLES 2-29

Compounds having the above formula, wherein the group R has the values listed in Table 1, were prepared following the procedure set forth above for Example 1, using appropriately-substituted aryl or heteroaryl amine in place of 5-(4-Amino-2-methoxyphenyl)oxazole 1H. TABLE 1 HPLC time HPLC Ex. R (min) Method MH⁺ 2

2.57 c 387.3 3

3.11 c 429.3 4

3.17 c 443.32 5

2.61 c 404.29 6

3.26 b 443.23 7

3.02 b 438.15 8

2.68 b 405.21 9

2.44 b 405.21 10

2.75 b 420.21 11

2.67 b 404.21 12

3.02 b 387.21 13

2.7 b 408.18 14

1.93 b 377.16 15

2.08 b 403.22 16

2.92 b 444.19 17

3.21 a 453.81 18

3.11 a 431.98 19

2.86 a 433.95 20

3.12 a 418 21

3.12 a 418 22

2.65 a 403.02 23

2.88 a 417.03 24

2.79 a 415.01 25

2.68 b 421.23 26

2.99 b 495.18 27

2.05 b 377.2 28

3.12 b 471.2 29

1.87 b 393.17 HPLC Conditions for Table 1: a Column: Phenominex 4.6 × 5.0 mm. Solvent A = 10% MeOH, 90% H₂O, 10 mM NH4Ac; Solvent B = 90% MeOH, 10% H₂O, 10 mM NH4Ac. Flow rate: 4 mL/min. Gradient: 4 min 0% B-100% B. b Column: Phenominex ODS 4.6 × 5.0 mm. Solvent A = 10% MeOH, 90% H₂O, 0.1% TFA; Solvent B = 90% MeOH, 10% H₂O, 0.1% TFA: Flow rate: 4 mL/min. Gradient: 4 min 0% B-100% B. c Column: Phenominex Luna C18 4.6 × 5.0 mm. Solvent A = 10% MeOH, 90% H₂O, 0.1% TFA; Solvent B = 90% MeOH, 10% H₂O, 0.1% TFA. Flow rate: 4 mL/min. Gradient: 4 min 0% B-100% B.

EXAMPLES 30-48

Compounds having the formulae set forth in Table 2, were prepared following the same or similar procedures to those set forth above for Examples 1-29, and/or in the general schemes previously set forth herein. In the compounds shown in Table 2, the terminal nitrogen atom on the right-hand side is intended to designate NH₂ and the central nitrogen atom NH. These compounds are useful in the inventive methods of inhibiting Factor VIIa. TABLE 2 Ex. Structure 30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

47

48 

1. A compound having the formula (II),

or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, or hydrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein A is selected from phenyl, oxazolyl, thiazolyl, isothiazolyl, imidazolyl, furyl, thienyl, thiadiazolyl, oxadiazolyl, tetrazolyl, triazolyl, diazolyl, pyrrolyl, and pyrazolyl, said ring A being optionally substituted with up to two groups selected from halogen, NO₂, C₁₋₄alkyl, haloalkyl, haloalkoxy, OH, C₁₋₄alkoxy, C₁₋₄alkylcarbonyl, CN, NH₂, NH(C₁₋₄alkyl), and N(alkyl)₂; R₃ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₀₋₄alkyl), amino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₃alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₆alkylamino(C₀₋₄alkyl); R₁₁ is selected from hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₀₋₄alkyl), amino(C₀₋₄alkyl), C₁₋₃alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₆alkylamino(C₀₋₄alkyl), or two R₁₁ groups may be taken together, or one of R₁₁ may be taken together with R_(11a) to form a fused benzo, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic ring, wherein said ring in turn is optionally substituted with a group A or one to two of C₁₋₄alkyl, oxo(═O), halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy; R_(11a) is selected from hydrogen, halogen, C₁₋₄alkyl, hydroxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), CF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), OCF₃(C₀₋₄alkyl), cyano(C₀₋₄alkyl), and C₁₋₄alkoxy(C₀₋₄alkyl), or R_(11a) may be taken together with R₁₁ to form a fused benzo, heteroaryl, or heterocyclic ring, wherein said ring in turn is optionally substituted with a group A or one to two of C₁₋₄alkyl, oxo(═O), halogen, cyano, trifluoromethyl, or trifluoromethoxy; a is 0 or 1; and n is 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; and said compound of formula (II) is effective in inhibiting Factor VIIa in a mammal with an IC₅₀ of less than 1 μM.
 2. A compound according to claim 1, having the formula,

or a pharmaceutically-acceptable salt, hydrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein said compound is effective in inhibiting Factor VIIa in a mammal with an IC₅₀ of less than 500 nM.
 3. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim
 1. 4. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising: a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of claim
 2. 5. A method of treating a disorder selected from myocardial infarction, unstable angina, thromboembolic stroke, venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, peripheral occlusive arterial disease, atherosclerotic vascular disease, athersclerotic plaque rupture, and/or thromboembolic consequences of surgery, interventional cardiology, and immobility, in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal in need of treatment thereof an effective amount of at least one compound of claim
 1. 6. A method of treating a disorder selected from myocardial infarction, unstable angina, thromboembolic stroke, venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, peripheral occlusive arterial disease, atherosclerotic vascular disease, athersclerotic plaque rupture, and/or thromboembolic consequences of surgery, interventional cardiology, and immobility, in a mammal comprising administering to the mammal in need of treatment thereof an effective amount of at least one compound of claim
 2. 